‘When, not if': Australia's big call on Palestine
As Australia released a joint statement on Wednesday morning to 'express willingness … to recognise the state of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-state solution' the Albanese Government signalled that the situation is unfolding rapidly.
'What is happening in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears,' Communications Minister Anika Wells told ABC TV.
'It is now a question of when, not if, a two-state solution happens,' she continued.
'We are working with like-minded parties to ensure that happens as soon as possible.
'It is a question of when not if,' she said. 'There are things to work through.
'We need Hamas to release the hostages and we need to secure aid as quickly as possible. Everybody is working on that. Labor has long advocated for a two-state solution.'
In a joint statement of 15 countries on Wednesday morning, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other signatories said they had already 'expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognise the state of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-state solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call'.
The statement demanded 'an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages of Hamas, including the remains, as well as ensuring unhindered humanitarian access'.
The statement was co-signed by Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain.
It condemns 'the heinous and antisemitic terrorist attack of October 7th, 2023.' and demands 'an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages of Hamas, including the remains, as well as ensuring unhindered humanitarian access.'
The statement goes on to 'express grave concern over the high number of civilian casualties and humanitarian situation in Gaza and emphasize the essential role of the United Nations and its agencies in facilitating humanitarian assistance.'
It expresses 'our determination to work on an architecture for the 'day after' in Gaza which guarantees the reconstruction of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from the Palestinian governance.'
Overnight, Keir Starmer announced the UK will formally recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes various 'substantive steps', including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.
Sir Keir's move, which follows French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to recognise a State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly – would make the two European allies the first G7 nations to do so.
In a televised address from Downing Street immediately after the cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state if Israel has not taken the steps demanded by the time the Assembly is held in September.
It must 'end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect' of a two-state solution, Sir Keir added.
'I've always said we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,' he said.
'With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.'
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